Our Fleet
The RFDS has 5 different planes that are used for aeromedical operations. These are the Pilatus PC-12 and PC-24 (used in SA/NT and WA), the King Air B350 C and B200 C (used in QLD, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania) and the Beechcraft King Air 360CHW turboprop aircraft (used in Qld). There are also aeromedical helicopters used within Western Australia.
With 81 aircraft in the national aviation fleet, the RFDS operates the third-largest airline in Australia.
Here is a video that shows one of our Flying Doctor aircraft being built on the production line and follows it all the way through to the final delivery.
Every RFDS plane has to undergo an extensive fit-out after purchase, so they have the necessary medical equipment to deal with any emergency. This video gives insight into the work and cost involved in preparing each plane so that it can become part of the Flying Doctor fleet.
The Pilatus PC-24 jets are used across WA and SA. These jets halve the flying time over long distances of the Australian outback and we are ever grateful for the ongoing donations that have made the purchase of these aircraft possible. See below for details on each plane.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service in WA (RFDS) and Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) have partnered creating the RFDS’ aeromedical helicopter service for Western Australia. In an Australian first for the Flying Doctor, the five-year partnership will integrate two EC-145 helicopters into the RFDS fleet. Ideal for hospital-to-hospital transfers, the Fortescue Heli-Med Service will provide RFDS’ frontline crews with greater capacity to respond to the needs of patients.
Pilatus PC-12
Number in RFDS Fleet36
Maximum altitude30,000 feet
Maximum speed280 knots (518.56 km)
Range2,889 km
Cabin dimensionsWidth: 1.52m, Length: 4.68m, Height of 1.45m
How our Pilatus PC–12 is set-up
The Pilatus PC-12 is a good all-rounder in terms of capacity, amenity, speed, range and performance, making it perfect for the Royal Flying Doctor operational activities.
Custom Cabin - The cabin is set up with 2 stretcher beds and three seats, which can be used in a variety of configurations. The front door allows the pilot to conduct his pre-flight external inspections and enter the plane without disturbing the patients and medical crew in the rear.
Cockpit – The cockpit is configured for single-pilot operations in all weather conditions, day and night. Instrumentation includes state of the art Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning and aircraft Advisory Systems Navigation systems including Global Positioning System and the standard equipment to display data from ground-based navigational aids.
Staff - A Flight Nurse is usually on every flight and in cases where the patient is seriously ill, a Doctor is also present. Other passengers can include sitting patients, accompanying relatives or specialist medical staff.
Engine - The aircraft is powered by a single Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-67B Turbo-prop engine.
Pilatus PC–24
Number in RFDS Fleet5
Maximum altitude45,000 feet
Maximum speed787 km per hour
Range3,610 km
Cabin dimensionsWidth: 1.69m, Length: 7m, Height of 1.55m
How our Pilatus PC–24 is set up
The Pilatus PC-24 aero medical aircraft are the first of their kind in Australia and around the world. These ‘emergency wards’ in our skies have the capacity for three stretchered patients and two medical teams consisting of four doctors and nurses.
These jets have the capability of landing and taking off on unsealed runways as short as 800m and can halve existing flight times and travel longer distances. Based in Jandakot and Broome in WA, and Adelaide in SA, the addition of these new jets will boost the overall fleet capacity for response times within all regions.
King Air B300 C and B350
Number in RFDS Fleet11
Maximum altitude35,000
Maximum speed305 knots (564 kph)
Range3,000 km
Cabin dimensionsWidth: 1.38m, Length: 7.56m, Height of 1.46m
King Air B200 and B200 C
Number in RFDS Fleet27
Maximum altitude35,000 feet
Maximum speed278 knots (536 kph)
Range2,700 km
Cabin dimensionsWidth: 1.38m, Length: 6.7m, Height of 1.46m
King Air BB360
Number in RFDS Fleet3
Maximum altitude35,000 feet
Maximum speed312 knots (577 kph)
Range3,345 km
Cabin dimensionsWidth:1.37m wide, Length:5.97m, Height: 1.45m
How our King Airs are set-up
The King Air B200 C is a continuation of the King Air line, which began in the 1970's and has a long proven history as an aircraft. It is a twin-turbo propeller plane produced by Beechcraft. We also have King Air B200 and King Air 350 aircraft.
Custom Cabin - The cabin is set up with 2 stretcher beds and three seats, which can be used in a variety of configurations. The aircraft has been modified to replace the standard passenger door with a large cargo door to facilitate patient loading and unloading.
Cockpit – The standard aircraft installation allows for 2 pilot staff, however most operators, including the RFDS typically operate the aircraft in single pilot configuration. In addition to the normal aircraft systems, the aircraft is fitted with an additional battery to provide medical power, a medical oxygen and suction system, and an intercommunication system between the cockpit and the medical staff in the cabin.
Staff - A Flight Nurse is usually on every flight and in cases where the patient is seriously ill, a Doctor is also present. Other passengers can include sitting patients, accompanying relatives or specialist medical staff.
Engine - The aircraft is powered by two Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-42 Turbo-prop engines.
Learn about our RFDS bases and our dedicated pilots.
